Libraries

Pornography

A Guide to Finding Government Information

Web version of this guide includes links to web resources.

Search Tips:

Mix and match these terms in searching the library catalog, WestCat, or use them to search journal articles and law reviews via the library's Databases page. You can also use them to search government information sites listed on our Starting Points page - click the tab and pay particular attention to the Top Six.

pornography

obscenity

children

media

internet

censorship

child pornography

cyberporn

peer-to-peer architecture

P2P

exploitation

freedom of speech

Related Topics:

pedophilia

freedom of speech/expression

censorship

An important source for many research topics is Congress. Congressional committees and subcommittees hold hearings on a wide variety of controversial and timely subjects. Simply add the word "hearing?" to a search string in WestCat.

Search Engines

Google and StartPage Use these search engines to search for government information by typing "site:gov" in the search box preceding your search terms:

site:gov pornography

Federal Government Information

This short primer uses laws and constitutional interpretation through court cases to discuss the legality or illegality of obscenity, child pornography, and indecency. 2008<emhttps://file.wikileaks.org/file/crs/98-670.pdf

This hearing discusses constitutional issues and the lack of political will to prosecute obscenity cases and how this allows pornography to go mainstream. 2005http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS104931Y 4.J 89/2:S.HRG.109-1023

This hearing focuses on solutions to unwanted access to pornography and child pornography by children and adults over peer-to-peer networks. 2004http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS54706Y 4.C 73/8:108-90

Illinois Government Information

Part of the Criminal Code of 1961, this is the Illinois law regarding obscenity and child pornography. Definitions and sentencing classifications are provided, as are guidelines for forfeiture of particular assets upon conviction. Distribution of harmful material is also covered.720 ILCS 5/11-6 et al.

Legal Information

Obscenity and Pornography Decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court

This book showcases 14 of the landmark supreme court decisions on obscenity and pornography. All are plain-English versions of the official legal texts issued by the Supreme Court. The topics covered are varied and interesting. LEGL REF KF 9444 .A7 0313 2000

According to the author, Senator Orrin Hatch, obscenity laws which could be used to combat the proliferation of the worst pornography go unenforced, the result is that obscenity has been downgraded from a crime to an 'annoyance.' 2012Stanford Law & Policy Review vol. 23, p. 1 via LexisNexis Academic

You Only Live Twice: How the First Amendment Impacts Child Pornography in Second Life

"Obviously virtual" child pornography as practiced in Second Life via avatars does not harm children and should have the protection of the First Amendment, so says the author. 2009Loyola of Los Angeles Entertainment Law Review vol. 29, p.193 via LexisNexis Academic

The Blurring Line Between Victim and Offender: Self-Produced Child Pornography and the Need for Sentencing Reform

In response to overzealous prosecutors, the author argues the need for a distinction in regard to teenage sexting and child pornography. 2012Ohio State Law Journal vol. 73 p. 141 via LexisNexis Academic

Re-Creating Patriarchy: Connecting Religion and Pornography

The author argues that religion and pornography have in common the domination of women. 2011Wake Forest Journal of Law & Policy vol. v. 1, p. 293 via LexisNexis Academic